Gibraltar

Lord Haskel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the outcome of the talks held on 4 February under the Brussels Process.

Baroness Amos: At the Brussels Process ministerial meeting on 4 February my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary and Spanish Foreign Minister, Josep Pique, continued to make good progress in our discussions about Gibraltar in the atmosphere of friendship and understanding which links the UK and Spain, reaffirming the full range of commitments that we assumed at our previous meetings in London and Barcelona.
	Our common aim remains to conclude a comprehensive agreement before the summer, covering all outstanding issues, including co-operation and sovereignty.
	Both governments confirmed that their shared objective is to overcome their differences over Gibraltar and to ensure a secure future for Gibraltar in which Gibraltar can preserve its way of life and traditions, enjoy greater internal self-government, sustain and enhance its prosperity and reap the full benefits of a harmonious and mutually beneficial co-operation in all fields together with the wider region.
	We reiterate our invitation to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to attend future Brussels Process meetings so that he, and through him the Gibraltarians, can join the current dialogue and contribute to it to the benefit of Gibraltar. We confirmed that the Chief Minister is warmly invited to participate on the basis of the Two Flags, Three Voices formula, having his own and distinct voice as part of the British delegation.
	Our intention is that the comprehensive agreement we seek will offer the best framework for a secure, stable and prosperous future for Gibraltar. In that framework, our objective is that Gibraltar can enjoy enhanced powers of internal self-government, allowing its government and population to have a greater say in their lives. We will invite the Government of Gibraltar to develop together with us the relevant ideas on this objective.
	We also took forward our work on all possible ways of enhancing co-operation to improve the quality of the daily lives of people in Gibraltar and the Campo region. The UK and Spain reaffirmed that the aim of the arrangements they seek is to promote the highest level of fruitful co-operation within the wider region, favouring better standards of living and working conditions in Gibraltar and the Campo and fluid communications with the region.
	The Spanish Government recalled the arrangements they had made to allocate a further 70,000 telephone numbers for Gibraltar and reaffirmed that, as regards the technical responsibilities of the Spanish side, they are operational. They expressed their commitment to ensure that no obstacles prevent their immediate use for the benefit of all Gibraltarians. To that end, the UK and Spain agreed to engage in immediate talks to assess the situation and attain their objective. Both Governments also tackled the issue of pensions, a problem on which they will intensify their efforts to find a prompt solution consistent with the responsibilities of the public authorities involved.

Afghanistan

Lord Haskel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent changes have there been to United Nations sanctions against Afghanistan.

Baroness Amos: With the full support of Her Majesty's Government, on 16 January the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution 1390 (2002). Taking into account the changed situation in Afghanistan, the resolution extended or amended some of the existing measures and introduced new measures targeting Osama bin Laden, members of the Al Qaeda organisation and the Taliban and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them designated by the UN Sanctions Committee on Afghanistan. Other UNSC sanctions targeting Afghanistan were terminated or allowed to lapse.
	UNSC Resolution 1390 (2002) continues the asset freeze imposed by Resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1333 (2000) on senior members of the Taliban, Osama bin Laden and individuals and entities (including members of Al-Qaeda) designated by the Security Council as associated with him, and extends it to all designated members of the Taliban and their associates. The Resolution also places an embargo on the supply of arms and military assistance to, and imposes a world-wide travel ban on, Osama bin Laden and persons designated by the Security Council as members of the Al-Qaeda organisation or the Taliban or their associates.
	A full list of those designated by the UN Sanctions Committee on Afghanistan is available on the UN website: http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/Afghanistan/Afg–list–eng.htm.
	On 15 January the UNSC had adopted Resolution 1388 (2002) removing all previous UNSC restrictions on Ariana Afghan Airlines.

Metropolitan Police Numbers

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they did not respond until 17 December to the Written Question tabled by Baroness Hanham on 30 October regarding the numbers of Metropolitan Police between 1997 and date, when a similar question asked by Eric Pickles MP to the House of Commons Library received an almost instantaneous detailed answer on 5 December.

Lord Rooker: I apologise wholeheartedly to the noble Baroness for the delay in answering her Question of 30 October about Metropolitan Police numbers. This was caused, regrettably, by administrative errors and delays within the Home Office. Officials across the department have been reminded of the priority to be given to addressing parliamentary queries.

Asylum Seekers Held in Prison

Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Zimbabwean asylum seekers are in prison in the United Kingdom; and when they are to be released; and
	How many asylum seekers were being held in United Kingdom prisons on 1 January 2002; and when they were or will be moved out of prisons.

Lord Rooker: My right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced on 3 October that detainees held solely under Immigration Act powers would no longer be held in prisons by the end of January 2002. The temporary use of local prisons and the accommodation within HMP Rochester ended in mid-January. The detainees concerned were transferred to Immigration Service removal centres or to the dedicated immigration detention facilities at HMP Haslar and HMP Lindholme. The dedicated facilities at HMP Haslar and HMP Lindholme will become Immigration Service removal centres following their formal re-designation for this purpose on 8 February.
	
		Table A
		
			 Place of detention Zimbabwean asylum seekers detained as at 30 September 2001(1) 
			 Dedicated Immigration Service  wings(2) 25 
			 Other prison establishments(3) 20 
			 Total persons detained in prison establishments(3) 40 
		
	
	(1) Figures rounded to the nearest five, and may not sum due to rounding.
	(2) Persons detained at the dedicated Immigration Service wings at Haslar, Lindholme and Rochester.
	(3) Includes less than five persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.
	
		Table B
		
			 Place of detention Asylum seekers detained as at 30 September 2001(1) 
			 Dedicated Immigration Service  wings(2) 390 
			 Other prison establishments(3) 460 
			 Total persons detained in 
			 prison establishments(3) 850 
		
	
	(4) Figures rounded to the nearest five, and may not sum due to rounding.
	(5) Persons detained at the dedicated Immigration Service wings at Haslar, Lindholme and Rochester.
	(6) Includes 145 persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.

Animal Procedures Committee Chairman

Lord Varley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to reappoint Professor Michael Banner as chairman of the Animal Procedures Committee.

Lord Rooker: Professor Banner completed his first four-year term as chairman of the Animal Procedures Committee on 31 January 2002. We are grateful to him for his work in leading this important committee and are pleased that he has accepted another four-year term as chairman.

Compact on Relations between the Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector

Lord Varley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the outcome of the second annual meeting to review the compact on relations between the Government and the voluntary and community sector.

Lord Rooker: The second annual meeting to review the compact took place on 29 October 2001. A report of the meeting has been placed in the Library.
	We are pleased to say that both the sector and government welcomed progress made on developing the compact. The focus of government and sector activities since the launch of the national compact in November 1998 has been the development of the five underpinning codes of good practice on funding; consultation and policy appraisal; black and minority ethnic organisations; and volunteering and community groups.
	The annual review meeting recognised and agreed that implementation of compact principles and the spreading of good practice must be the future focus of compact activities. Implementation will be about ensuring that there is a practical and positive impact on government/sector relations at all levels, particularly at local and community level. There is more to do and the sector and government will need to continue to work in partnership to achieve our shared aims.

Annuity Reform

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to publish the joint Inland Revenue and Department for Work and Pensions consultation document on annuity reform; and what will be the earliest date from which any change to the current regulations can be implemented.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The joint Department for Work and Pensions and Inland Revenue consultation document Modernising Annuities is published today. Copies are available in the House of Lord's Library. The Government will consider the responses carefully before deciding how to proceed.

Medical Practitioner Services: VAT

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have considered the implications for the charging of VAT on services other than therapy by medical practitioners of the recent ruling in the case (D v. W 384/98) referred by an Austrian court to the European Court of Justice; and, if so, what conclusions they have reached.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The European Court of Justice ruled in the case of D v. W 384/98 that paternity testing services, previously exempt from VAT as medical care, no longer qualify for exemption. As a consequence of this decision and in order to assess further the implications of it, the UK courts have referred a number of further questions to the ECJ.

Trafficking in Human Beings

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by Lord Rooker on 17 December (WA 3-4) and 9 January (WA 113), whether they intend to incorporate the definition of trafficking from the Trafficking Protocol to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime when introducing legislation to combat the trafficking of human beings.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: By signing the UN protocol on the prevention and suppression of trafficking and negotiating the EU framework decision on trafficking, we are committed to introducing legislation to combat the trafficking of human beings consistent with the terms of the UN protocol. We are also committed to implementing its measure in relation to enforcement and support for victims.

Trafficking in Human Beings

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer about Project Reflex by Lord Rooker on 9 January (WA 115), whether they will distinguish how many of the arrests and convictions cited relate to smuggling and how many relate to trafficking in the light of the definition of trafficking in the Trafficking Protocol to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime.

Lord Rooker: All the arrests and convictions referred to in the Written Answer (WA 115) have related to people smuggling, also referred to as the facilitation of illegal entry.
	However, Reflex is conducting a number of investigations into trafficking, and in particular the trafficking of women, which are still ongoing or awaiting trials. The international and complex nature of investigations means that they can take many months to complete.
	The establishment under Project Reflex of a dedicated joint unit made up of National Crime Squad and Immigration Service personnel will deliver a further enhanced operational response to organised immigration crime, in particular people trafficking.

Badger Protection

Lord Dholakia: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ask the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to investigate an allegation on BBC's Newsnight involving the shooting of a badger contrary to Section 1(1) of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

Lord Whitty: It is for the police to decide on their priorities for investigation and on whether to bring prosecutions in this or any other case.

Sheep Lice Treatment

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice has recently been offered by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to sheep farmers as first line treatment against infestation by lice in breeding ewes.

Lord Whitty: Advice on the treatment of sheep for lice was included in the leaflet Golden rules for a healthy flock sent to all sheep farmers in the autumn last year. The emphasis of this leaflet was for restocking following foot and mouth disease, but it recommends that sheep farmers should consult their veterinary surgeon on the development of an overall flock health plan, including a policy on lice.
	The leaflet includes the following specific advice on the control of lice: "Ideally plunge dip in an OP [organo-phosphate]. Where this is not possible pour-on SPs [synethetic pyrethroids] may be used. However many lice are now resistant to SPs and they have no action (when used as pour-ons) against sheep scab. No injectable treats lice".

Animal Disease Control

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to bring forward during the passage of the Animal Health Bill through this House any "important emerging recommendations" as mentioned in the terms of reference for the inquiry into the lessons to be learned from the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

Lord Whitty: The provisions in the Animal Health Bill relating to disease control are part of the Government's response to issues raised by the 2001 outbreak that can be swiftly and effectively addressed by adding to and strengthening existing legislation. Should Dr Anderson's lessons learned inquiry publish interim recommendations before the Bill has completed its passage through the House of Lords, the Government would consider whether any amendments should be made to the Bill.
	When the two independent inquiries, set up in August 2001, have reported later this year, the Government will consider what measures need to be taken to implement recommendations relevant to the prevention and control of animal diseases. Further legislation will be brought forward, if it is needed.

Rural: Definition

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 18 January (WA 183), whether it is now their intention to have a single definition of the word "rural"; and, if so, by what date.

Lord Whitty: It would be unrealistic to impose a standard "rural" definition for use in all contexts. For example, within a broadly "rural" county or district, not all parishes would be properly described as "rural". However, we recognise that there is a need for a more co-ordinated and consistent approach to the categorisation and use of definitions of urban and rural areas. It is for that reason that Defra, DTLR, the Countryside Agency and the Office for National Statistics are working towards a better set of definitions for urban and rural areas. In the short term we plan to use for statistical purposes the definitions presently used by the Countryside Agency.

Agriculture Council, 21 January

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What matters were discussed and decisions made at the Agriculture Council held on 21 and 22 January.

Lord Whitty: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture Council meeting on 21 January in Brussels. The Council held initial debates on Commission proposals concerning potato starch quotas and animal health requirements governing the movement of pet animals. We welcomed both proposals and on the latter stressed the importance of having rules safeguarding against the risk of importing rabies that were fully based on scientific advice.
	The Council agreed unanimously to permit Portugal to pay a state aid to pig producers to offset the repayment of aids paid illegally in 1994 and 1998. In consenting to this we expressed grave concern at the Council's increasing tendency to approve aids which, particularly in sensitive sectors such as pigmeat, could undermine the integrity of the single market.
	The Council also received a report from Commissioner Byrne on the Commission's progress in negotiating veterinary and phytosanitary equivalence agreements with third countries, notably in relation to the Mercosur countries and Chile. We welcomed this but called upon the Commission to ensure all Mercosur countries complied with existing obligations to permit imports of milk products and bovine semen from all EU countries.

Fetal Abormalities:Informing Parents

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 13 November (WA 69), what guidance has been issued to hospitals and clinics following the publication of a paper in the British Medical Journal in February of this year entitled "What parents are told after prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality: interview and questionnaire study" by Abramsky, Hall and Marteau (BMJ, 24 February, 463-466).

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No guidance has been issued. The Government will however keep the issue of how to inform parents of diagnoses of all fetal abnormalities under close review.
	The forthcoming guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on antenatal care will be included in the development of the Children's National Service Framework.

Macular Degeneration

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much was spent in each of the last five years for which figures are available on research directly funded from the Department of Health and through the Medical Research Council into the causes and treatment effects of age-related macular degeneration; and what proposals they have for increasing such funding in the next financial year.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The main government agency for research into the causes and treatment of disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is funded through the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC has supported research on macular degeneration since 1997 that would be of direct relevance. Estimated expenditure since then is as follows:
	1997-98 £300,000
	1998-99 £82,000
	1999-2000 £78,000
	2000-01 £140,000
	The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding. Awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health.
	The Department of Health has supported, through national and regional programmes, research on macular degeneration. Projects include an ongoing project due to complete in July 2002 on A clinical technique for measuring macular pigment optical density in patients with macular degeneration.

Care Leavers: Higher Education

The Earl of Listowel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of children in care, or formerly in care, currently enter higher education; and
	What proportion of children in care they expect to be entering higher education in 2010; and how they expect to realise this proportion.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There are at present no data on the numbers of care leavers who go on to higher education, though the Government are aware that very few do so. This remains a priority area for action and the Government have set a target for improving the life chances of young people who have been in public care: the level of employment, training or education in 2003–04 for young people aged 19 and who were looked after by local authorities in their 17th year on 1 April 2001 to be at least 75 per cent of the level among others of the same age in the area. There is no specific target for care leavers in higher education.
	Joint Department for Education and Skills/Department of Health Guidance on the Education of Young People in Public Care, issued to local authorities in May 2000, is beginning to bring about improvements in attainment levels. The Government believe that the measures in the guidance, combined with the continuing support for care leavers under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, will encourage more care leavers to go on to higher education.
	A new statistical collection which will provide this information for care leavers aged 19 has recently been introduced by the Department of Health, and the first year of data will cover the 12 months ending 31 March 2002. The data will identify care leavers in higher education. The department plans to publish this information in autumn 2002.

Blood Products: Safety Initiatives

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people with haemophilia have now been infected with hepatitis C and HIV respectively by contaminated National Health Service blood products; and what is currently being done to assess and implement new technologies to deal with (a) existing and (b) emerging pathogens in blood components supplied by the National Blood Service.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We estimate that 1,240 people with haemophilia were infected with HIV and around 3,000 with hepatitis C before viral inactivation of blood products began in the mid-1980s.
	New blood safety initiatives, including technologies to remove pathogens in blood, are considered by the National Blood Service's Blood and Tissue Safety Assurance Group and the Department of Health's Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation. Initiatives planned for the next 12 months include the introduction of new methods for viral screening and reducing bacterial contamination of transfused blood and an operational assessment of a new technology to remove existing and emerging viruses and bacteria from platelets.

Independent Healthcare Providers to the NHS

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 3 December (WA 111), whether they will now publish the results of the survey carried out in October 2001 of the work undertaken by independent healthcare providers for National Health Service Trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Validation and analysis of the survey returns from the National Health Service are being finalised and we expect to be able to share key findings shortly.

Headlice Treatment

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice is offered by the Department of Health as the means for treating infestation by headlice in children.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health has published an information leaflet, copies of which are widely available. The leaflet recognises two treatment options, involving either the use of anti-lice lotions or the combing method.

Nursing Staff

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made any estimate of the number of man-days or hours worked within the National Health Service by directly employed and agency nursing staff respectively and of the cost by man-day or hour of each category.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health records how much the National Health Service spends on agency nurses but does not record how many agency nurses are employed or the amount that individual agency nurses are paid. The salaries of nurses working in the NHS are paid on a number of scales and are made up of an hourly rate and various allowances. The department has not made any assessment of days worked and cost per day of either category.
	In the year 1999–2000 the NHS spent £361,656,683 on agency nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff. In the same period the NHS spent £7,330,271,609 on directly employed nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff.
	At 30 September 1999, the whole time equivalent number of nurses working in the NHS was 338,582. Given that this figure is a snapshot and not an average across the whole year, it is not possible to derive a cost per day for nursing staff directly employed by the NHS.

Oral Anticoagulation Therapy: Testing Strips

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What contracts the Department of Health has had with the British Cardiac Patients Association and the Children's Heart Federation about making available on prescription the strips used in home tests by patients requiring oral anticoagulation therapy on a long-term basis, in the same way that Type 2 diabetes patients are able to obtain their testing strips; and whether current policy is being reviewed.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The British Cardiac Patients Association and Children's Heart Federation have written to the Secretary of State requesting a meeting with Ministers to discuss the issue of making strips to allow self-testing of blood by patients requiring oral anti-coagulation therapy. A meeting will be arranged.
	We are currently considering whether to list such strips in Part IX of the drug tariff, so enabling them to be prescribed by general practitioners on the National Health Service.

Stem Cell Research

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 12 November 2001 (WA 57), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has issued a licence authorising Geron Biomed to derive its own human embryonic stem cell lines in the United Kingdom; whether Geron Biomed has disclosed its source of human embryos and gametes for this research; and whether Her Majesty's Government have any plans to collect information on the use of stem cells, in particular their exploitation for commercial purposes.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No such licence has been issued. All research using embryos in this country would need to be approved by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the HFEA would require the applicant to disclose the proposed source of the embryos. An ad hoc Select Committee of the House of Lords is currently examining stem cell research and the Government will consider its recommendations when they are published.

Food Standards Agency Report and Accounts

Lord Clark of Windermere: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Food Standards Agency Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2001 will be published.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Food Standards Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2001 was laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House. A version in Welsh, as required by the Welsh Language Act, is in preparation and will be published shortly.

Benefit Claimants: Post Office Card Accounts

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How benefit claimants will be transferred from the current paper-based Post Office system to the new electronic Post Office card account; and
	Whether benefit claimants may expect to be issued with new electronic Post Office card accounts according to (a) their surname, (b) the benefits they receive, (c) where they live and (d) some other system.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The move to payment direct into bank/building society accounts between 2003 and 2005 will, broadly, be organised according to benefits received. And through universal banking services there will be Post Office access to a range of bank accounts.
	The emphasis of our payment direct into bank/building society accounts migration and marketing strategy will be to ensure that each customer has the best account for his or her circumstances. The vast majority of claimants already have a suitable existing bank account and we expect that they will choose to use them when they start to be paid by this method. If customers do not have a suitable bank account, we will provide them with information on the types of account available, including standard and basic bank accounts and Post Office card accounts, and help them make the best choice for their circumstances.

Benefit Claimants: Post Office Card Accounts

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether claimants to more than one benefit will be transferred to an electronic Post Office card account earlier or later than claimants to a single benefit.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The move to payment direct into bank/building society accounts, whether into a Post Office card account or any other type of account, will not be affected by the number of benefits received.

Benefit Claims

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Mr Wicks on 17 January (HC Deb, 361W), how much of the £54 billion of benefits paid in 2000–01 through the Post Office was paid in the form of more than one benefit per claimant.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The information is not available in the format requested.

Belfast: European Capital of Culture Bid

Lord Blease: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will visit Belfast soon in connection with that City's European Capital of Culture 2008 bid.

Baroness Blackstone: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will not be making visits to any cities solely in connection with a bid for the Capital of Culture title. DCMS Ministers will, however, continue to visit for other reasons. My right honourable friend visited Belfast in October 2001 but she currently has no plans for a further visit.

Parliamentary Estate: Accommodation for Sinn Fein Members

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representation they received from the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the provision of office accommodation in the Parliamentary Estate for Sinn Fein Members of Parliament.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Irish Government have at no point made representations on their own behalf on this matter, although it has featured in discussions between the two governments as an issue known to be of concern to Sinn Fein.

Drumcree Protest: Cost of Security Arrangements

Lord Eames: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current cost of security arrangements associated with the continuing dispute at Drumcree.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: There are currently no police deployed solely for the purpose of Drumcree. However, current police deployments do address the protest, particularly in the evenings and the Sunday parade.
	Based on the current level of policing the protest, the monthly cost is £54,250.